Autoimmune Diseases and Metal Implants and Devices
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AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES AND METAL IMPLANTS AND DEVICES
April 11, 2018
By Amanda Just, MS, and Jack Kall, DMD, MIAOMT
Dedicated to the late Vera Stejskal, PhD, whose life’s work is featured in this article
Introduction to autoimmune diseases and metal implants and devices There are over 80 recognized autoimmune diseases, with some of the most common being diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease. In the United States, estimates of people afflicted by these debilitating health conditions range from 14.7 million to 50 million. The majority of those suffering from autoimmune diseases are women, and the consensus among health groups and researchers alike is that autoimmune diseases are on the rise, with more and more people being stricken with these illnesses each year.
In spite of this growing problem and the increasing burden it carries for patients, their families, the medical community, and society at large, there are still massive gaps in scientific knowledge about autoimmune diseases. However, it is generally agreed that these illnesses are related to genetics and environmental factors. (“Environmental factors” is a phrase that encompasses all aspects of the environment with which humans interact, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, etc.).
In particular, along with recognizing genetic components of autoimmune diseases, researchers have clearly identified that these health conditions can be caused by metals, pharmaceutical drugs, pollen, infectious agents, molds, and food allergies (such as gluten). The fact that the average person’s overall exposure to chemicals, including metals, has drastically increased over the past century cannot be overlooked when discussing the synonymous rise of autoimmune illnesses.
Dr. Vera Stejskal has explained: “Disregulation of the immune system by chemicals may be one of the reasons why the frequency of allergies and autoimmune diseases increases.” What is autoimmunity and how does it relate to metal implants and devices?
In simple terms, autoimmunity can be defined as a misdirected immune response that occurs when the immune system attacks the body, resulting in autoimmune disease when there is a progression to pathogenic autoimmunity. Allergy and autoimmunity share characteristics in that both are triggered by an abnormal immune response and both can produce local and systemic inflammation.6 Metals have been widely recognized as one of the triggers capable of producing such inflammation. In a 2014 publication, Dr. Vera Stejskal wrote: “Metal-induced inflammation may be involved in the pathology of various autoimmune and allergic diseases, where abnormal fatigue, joint and muscle pain, cognitive impairment and other non-specific symptoms are often present.”7 In this regard, it is suspected that metal ions released from dental and medical implants and devices can cause inflammation in susceptible subjects. The release of metal ions from these implants and devices occurs locally (i.e. at the site of the implant/device), but the metal ions are processed both locally and in other parts of the body, and this can prompt an immune reaction.
Reactions are more likely to occur for individuals who are genetically predisposed to having lower excretion rates of metals, as well as other individualized factors. For example, Dr. Ivan Sterzl and his colleagues have reported: “Hypersensitivity to metals results in [a] wide range of clinical and sub-clinical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances and others. Patients with these symptoms often report intolerance to metal earrings and other metallic devices such as jeans buttons, watches, and intrauterine devices.”
